Bethel girls absorb first loss

BENTON — The season-opening six-game win streak of the Bryant Blue Lady Hornets eighth grade volleyball team of Bethel Middle School came to an end at the hands of the rival Benton Lady Panthers eighth grade team on Monday night.

Benton rallied for the win after Bryant Blue won the opening set 25-23. The Lady Panthers won 25-20 and 15-5.

“We were not able to put together our offense,” said Bethel coach Melissa Bragg. “We made too many mental errors.”

Jill Colclasure, Abbey Inman and Ella Reynolds had a kill apiece for the Lady Hornets. Alyssa Hernandez led the team with 14 digs. Maddie Thomas had four, Madelyn Martin two and Ashton Inman one. Lucie Van Roekel and Abbey Inman each had assists.

“We had a couple of players step up and play different positions to help us out,” Bragg noted. “Jill Colclasure stepped up and set well for us in the first game and Lucie Van Roekel was solid as one of our middles.”

The Lady Hornets play in a tournament in Benton this Saturday. On Monday, Sept. 26, they’ll take on Lake Hamilton at the Bryant Middle School gym.